The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1887-01-27
Trial of Martha VI. Crockett.

W lily OF MURDER IN TIE FIRST DEGREE. me
TRIAL ENDED AFTER SEVEN DAYS SEssloN.
SrOLID INDIFFERENCE OF THE PRISONER. En-
CEPTIONS FOR A NEW TRIAL.
The Journal gave last week the first days pro-
ccclings i'll the trial of Martha M. Crockett, of
Swanvllc. indicted for the murder of her husband
Ruel Crockett, Nov. 80, 1856 The prosecution
which opened Wednesday rested its case Fri
day night and Saturday morning Col Fogler open
ed for the prisoner. Much interest was manifest
ed, which increased as the trial proceeded. The
Court House was crowded to its utmost capacity,a
large number of the audience being ladies.
DIR. Eingwood was recalled Thursday morning
and completed his testimony in regard to the last
illness of Mr.. Crockett. He was followed by DR..
S. W. johnson, of Belfast, who conducted the au-
topsy on the body of Mr.. Crockett Dec. 10TH He
described the appearance Of the organs removed
the stomach, liver, kidneys, and Il portion of the
lntestines-and the effect of poison on the human
system. On cross examination he said he made
examination Of the heart or lungs
Wesley q. Peavey, Of Swanville, a neighbor, saw
Mi. Crockett vomiting his shop the day he
was taken ill. Examined the contents of his stom-
ach and saw apples, potato, bread and tea. saw
him vomit repeatedly. Cross examination: Saw
Mrs. Crockett prepare and give her husband ginger
tea brought him some medicine which was given
him.
+. W. Ellis, Swanville, said he obtained a por-
ton Of the matter thrown from Mr.. Crockett stom-
ach at the shop; carried ii to the house Of Andrew
j. Seekens AMI delivered it to Coroner Wilson.
j. f. " ll,on, Belfast, coroner, said he ordered
the inquest and post mortem, and caused the or
gans to be sent to Prof. Robinson for analysis.
Prof +. c. Robinson, of Brunswick, Professor
of Chemistry at Bowdoin College and state Assay
CT, explained the process of the chemical analysis
of the organs sent him. He found the largest
i1Atit in III,
liver, and least i'll the stomach. He found one-lalf
Of grain of arsenic in the organs, but in the
Nomited matter sent him he found ten grains of
arsenic. He said the arsenic not Paris green,
but might have been Rough on Rats. The latter
poison is mostly white arsenic. He would not en-
poet arsenic To he communicated from the nipple
ments used in procuring the vomited matter Cross
examination: Ten grains might be Il quarter of
teasroontni person taking that quantity would
DR.. $. W. johnson, of Belfast, was recalled and
gave minute description of the post norton. He
said man could not live with the organs longest
ed as We're those of Mr. Crockett. This condition
might be produced 10y powerful lrtant or some
severe accident. If the latter he should expect the
patient 60 die iii twenty four hours. Poison is Il
powerful irritant. No disease would account for
the condition of the organs. Thought an irrltant
had been taken into the stomach and the odor
from the body strengthened the belief. If ten
grains Of arsenic had been taken into the stomach
it would be accompanied with burning sensations
of throat and stomach. The Doctor described the
symptoms and coniltlun OF person under the IN
iluence of large dose of arsenic. He said two
grains of arsenic was the smallest fatal dose. On
cross examination lac said he made search for
the natural causes Of death. The condition Of the
organs indicated :sr-cnal poisoning. drachm Of
metallic arsenic has been given Il dose. From
two to three days is the ordinary length of time II
person lives after taking Il fatal dose of arsenic.
Dr.. J. Nj. Fletcher of Belfast, as a medical cN
pert, corroborated pr. Johnsons statement.
W. c. Peavey WAS recalled and again related Mr..
Crockett's condition as he saw him 1T the shop door
He went into the house with him. Mrs. Crockett
told him that Crockett had not eaten much break
b,f
ncr and had overloaded his stomach. After yomit
ing Crockett laid down on the bed and much
distressed. He advised ginger tea, but Mrs. Crock
cit sad she h;itl given nlm some on former occa-
sion and it did him no good. She prepared some
and Crockett drank two swallows. saw him again
in the evening. lie was all burning VI, AT the stom
arh. Crockett SAID II am most - years old and /
never felt This way before Brought him some
medicine Which Mrs. Crockett gave him. Went after
Dr EilingWoo'i sunday saw him again Monday
morning. Crockett wanted il doctor as quick as
one could he had. Mrs. &. sitting in Il rocking
chair in the Kitchen. Went after Dr.. Elngwood
rs AT the Crockett house again III the evening amt
remained until neat morning. Crockett died at 10
o'clock at night and self and others laid him
Mrs. Crockett was in bed up stairs when witness
came to the house Monday evening. she came
down, Went to the bed room, placed her hand on
her husband 5 head and said he was going as fast
as he could, and then went into tile Kitchen where
She remained until after he died. After his death
she came into the bed room and spoke of the de
ceased a. hand working man. Mr.. Peavey spoke
of the separations of Crockett and his wife. When
she left him first size wanted Peavey to take her to
Belfast that she hight run him III debt before pco
Pie learned of the separation she said She would
not live With him again. saw Mrs Crockett in Bel
fast during her second separation and talked with
her about Ter husband. she said She understood
ltucl keeping his doors open for her, but tell
him for me, that III never come "fhe old devil"
she said, u could SEE him lying dead in the gutter
and not turn my hand over" Mr. Peavey saw her
again at Leonard IIarvcys ant She said Ste should
never live again with her husband. Mir Peavey
spoke OF Albert T.. Harvey, Mrs. Crockett's SON,
and said he was i'll the nclghb"rh"od on Thanks
tyIt ,..1
witness that Mrs L. might have come into her hus
| bands room more frequently. She told him she
lid not sit up with her husband saturday night
Knew Of 10 trouble between husband and wife
after She came ba"s the last time i'll july.
Nellie f. tr"rkett the twelve wears ID daughter
father taken i'll. At breakfast he was WELL
| He said he going into tile woods that fore
noon ca; 100" hoop poles and hiul them cut, Her
lie w"uli if he had his health. She took her din
ncr to school and returned home about four
| orl""k. y was iyr m"tc II custom n leave some
Of the Inner on Tie cable ter her which she ale ON
arIiv ing home. When She came home that >atur
day the table had been cleared away. Went into
the pantry and found some flied apples and took
some mp Il spoon, when mother took them away
and said she dit not want me 10 eat them. She
gave me some cold beans. Was in the habit Of
having fried apples amt always ate them. The
threw thc apples out of the buttery window. No
| one was present bat mother and myself. She also
threw Qua the tea and rinsetl the tea pot. asked
her why ellc threw out the apple and said it
cool for the pig. She said the pig had enough
Never saw her throw away food before. Size then
toll of her fathers condition and said her mother
,iid not do much for him. Half past six John
l.raSdon and wife came in, also Mr.. Peavey and
MI and Mrs. James Murphy Heard father tell
Mt Peavey that the fried apples made his throat
smart and they tasted funny. The tea made his
mouth smart and puckercd it, saw mother give
father medicine that Mr.. Peavey brought in. No
one remained that night except the family. She
~cl. up stairs. fin the might her father called her
to get him some water. Tie ceiling not pl;ls
n l.ilf,
She got up and gave hen father water although Mrs
Crockett was in the bed with him People came in
about sunday morning. SAW mother give father
-onr sri'c but did net see her Ito anything more
for him. lie was awful sick, vomiting. Father
asked Inc to 20 to Mr.. Peavey and ask hiu to go
lor doctor. Heard mother tell grand father
l'ag'ion that while eating dinner father complain
cd That the APPLES tasted funny anh maae hi.
mouth smart. She said father wanted her to taste
the apple but She didn't want any. No remain
cd with us sunday night. Got up twice in the
night amt got Waci for father. He called me.
Mother was in bed with him. Heard mother tell
Atnf Ann Monday morning. that father would die.
she said She knew he would Wien he was first
taken sick that he vas taken SICK the same her
first husband. Father asked the Doctor if he
could have some cider aad he said lie coult.
wanted IT, 20 and ret some hut mother said ''NO,
your father Win ttie and it no use to vet c3,tprn
She sand She M;thtctt what money There was t.!t.
Father died at 10 oclOck Monday night. Her
father and mother separated three times-tWiec
She moved her things away. The last time Wa in
March lNsb and ~ remained away Until July 1th.
They had considerable talk about her Soa Albert.
Father SAID he Wotld not have ALBEIT there ami
mother saIh She wanted him. one WVeh before
iatiiei was taken sick mother ted him she would
XIII ilin if she lived long enough They talked
angry. Heard Albert say lie hated father and
mother said Size di@ too, butt She supposed ~h,
Woud have t. live with iilu i While longer, hut
-hr should not al! winter This was three weeks
before father was taken sick Heard father -;N
thought Albert burned his buildings. The build
mES were hurnc' i'll October, l>>j.) The eros, cN-
annati"n diI not bring "ut any new tarts except
that witness testified that Abort +. Harvey Wa. ut
before kun III,